Do Not Be Afraid

Do Not Be Afraid	Next Chapter: Faith Is Not What People Think It Is
In Tom Clancy’s book "Red Rabbit" 2, he describes Pope John Paul II this way… He (Pope John Paul) would be a man who didn’t fear much of anything, a man for whom a bullet was his get–out–of–jail–free card, a key to God’s own presence. And he’d be a man who felt God’s presence in everything he did. He was not someone you could scare, not someone you could turn away from what he deemed the right thing. Reading that paragraph I thought, shouldn’t that description fit every Christian? As Christians, shouldn’t we live our lives without fear? After all, what is the worst that can happen to us? For me the worst would be eternal separation from God. I did a word search on my electronic Bible and found the phrases "Don’t be afraid", "Do not be afraid" and "Be Not afraid" 96 times. Do you suppose God really means it?
Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. (Psalm 23:4a NLT) O God, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 56:4 NLT) "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28 NLT) "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27 NLT)
Lord, help me to live a life without fear, trusting that at the end I will spend eternity in your kingdom. Amen
Questions for consideration... What is my worst fear? Why? What can I do to reduce my fear? Do I fear dying? Why? If so, what can I do to reduce my fear?